It was Robert M. Gates, the now-retired secretary of defense, who seemed most upset with Netanyahu. In a meeting of the National Security Council Principals Committee held not long before his retirement this summer, Gates coldly laid out the many steps the administration has taken to guarantee Israel’s security — access to top- quality weapons, assistance developing missile-defense systems, high-level intelligence sharing — and then stated bluntly that the U.S. has received nothing in return, particularly with regard to the peace process.

Senior administration officials told me that Gates argued to the president directly that Netanyahu is not only ungrateful, but also endangering his country by refusing to grapple with Israel’s growing isolation and with the demographic challenges it faces if it keeps control of the West Bank. According to these sources, Gates’s analysis met with no resistance from other members of the committee.

Gates has expressed his frustration with Netanyahu’s government before. Last year, when Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel was marred by an announcement of plans to build new housing units for Jews in East Jerusalem, Gates told several people that if he had been Biden, he would have returned to Washington immediately and told the prime minister to call Obama when he was serious about negotiations.

Gates’s frustration also stems from squabbling with Netanyahu over U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia and other Arab allies. In an encounter in Israel in March, according to U.S. and Israeli sources, Netanyahu lectured Gates at length on the possible dangers posed to Israel by such sales, as well as by Turkey and other regional U.S. allies. Gates, a veteran intelligence officer, resented Netanyahu’s tone, and reminded him that the sales were organized in consultation with Israel and pro-Israel members of Congress.

Despite all of this, the U.S. relationship with the country that so displeases sectors of the U.S. establishment will not change one bit. Instead, the Obama administration will defend Israel full tilt later this month when the Palestinian Authority goes to the United Nations to ask for recognition of a Palestinian state.

46 Responses

How is it possible for illegal Israeli construction to be up 660% in the West Bank and not only does the US continue emphatically state it will Veto the Palestinian state later this month – but does not even any kind of public concern over this towards Israel whatsoever?

What a complete joke. The US has greased the wheels for Israeli ethnic cleansing decades. The setting up of the Israeli Apartheid state was done aided, abetted, and done under the cover of America

We joke, and wring our hands, at the travesty of the (out-of-kilter) computation of the “American national interest” which confounds it, often, with the (out-of-kilter) view of the “Israeli national interest” held by its right-wing government (and, here, by AIPAC and hence by Congress and Obama.).

But what was the American national interest, ever, but a dynamically shifting set of compromises (where there is conflict) and sell-outs (where there is not) between major power centers, that is, between those who can spend huge amounts of money to influence government.

And the mouthpieces for the government make nice noises, once in a while, to soothe the much injured people.

So if Obama occasionally criticizes Israeli practices, it is well understood that he doesn’t mean anything by these noises. No action will follow.

But what was the American national interest, ever, but a dynamically shifting set of compromises (where there is conflict) and sell-outs (where there is not) between major power centers, that is, between those who can spend huge amounts of money to influence government.

And the mouthpieces for the government make nice noises, once in a while, to soothe the much injured people.

Tick tock ~ just waiting for next American Revolution, it’s long overdue.

Not enough people will vote on their “pro-Palestinian” beliefs to impact Obama’s chances. I really don’t think he cares. Also, I’m sure his various Zionist advisers are downplaying any sort of talk of the “mood” of the country shifting on this issue. I can’t remember who said it–not only Cornell West, but someone who studies the history of the executive branch, I think–said he’s never seen such an isolated president as Obama.

Also, not to rain on your parade, but I have yet to see any concrete evidence that the actual “mood” of the country is changing. More people in this country than you think have never read a news article or opinion piece on the web.

I agree with Haytham. I see NO evidence that the “mood” is altered one iota. The fact that the right is sucking up to Israel, and helping to perpetuate the myth that “Obama is no friend to Israel” pretty much reveals that their tacticians and strategists have concluded that “Israel’s security”, and Obama’s alleged disregard for Israel’s security, is a hot button topic to be used to help unseat the posturing fraud Obama. This would only be so if they have polled extensively, and determined that the American public is still brainwashed enough by hasbarist swill to swallow the premise that this racist and murderous little sandpit is somehow our “ally”.

What an irony that Obama’s head is so far up Netanyahu’s ass, yet the myth that it ISN’T is being used as a RW campaign issue. The American public is so uninformed that they, coming to this site en masse, would undoubtedly be marching to eee’s bugle, and lauding Dimatok as a hero.

POA and Haytham if you do not see or hear more discussions, folks more aware about the facts on the ground, Leahy law, Israel’s illegal activities even mentioned in the 9/11 commission, former head of the CIA’s Bin Laden unit Micheal Scheuer on Washington Journal, CSpans Book TV,Bill Maher’s, (still most MSM host are terrified to have him on), even Huff Po is starting to put criticism of Israel on their front page, main stream churches standing against Israel’s illegal activities, BDS movement on college campuses, Bill Clinton even came out and said that 50% of terrorist activities would be snuffed out if the I/P issue were resolved. Now granted our congress is still sold out. But there our significant changes. Keep pushing.

Keep dropping information where ever you go. IF AMERICANS KNEW is a great site to order relevant, factual brochures etc.

…” Bill Clinton even came out and said that 50% of terrorist activities would be snuffed out if the I/P issue were resolved. “
I would love to know the reference for this Clinton statement. Could you please provide such? Thanks.

I measure from what I hear on CSpans Washington Journal (callers over the last 15 years) talk on the streets, in college classrooms, on campus, and in my parents blue collar union world. Many more discussion, people far more well read that ever before about the issue, congress receiving far more phone calls. World leaders, former CIA agents etc stepping out with the facts on the ground

How do you know it’s not the same people who are participating, maybe becoming more vocal as the tensions increase? Or that it’s only a few people participating? Witty has posted over 10,000 comments here. If you looked at the comment activity only you might think, wow, a lot of people are engaged on this issue (rather than one person posting 10,000 times). It’s deceptive.

Also, just because a few more people join the discussion, do you really think that indicates that a significant number of people across the nation are “waking up?”

This conversation reminds me of the 9/11 issue. In response to a survey, what was it, 60% of Democrats believed in 2008 that the government “covered up” or was “involved” in 9/11. So what? Do you see a mass movement of Democrats demanding a new investigation? No. This issue of “participation” translating directly into political action (i.e., “things changing”) is not as clear cut as you make it sound.

As far as people being far more well read, I think that is completely false. In my experience, many more Americans were aware of the conflict and the reasons behind it, in years past. Sure, many sympathized more with the Zionists because of Israel’s “frontier” image and “making the desert bloom”* propaganda, but at least they knew that the Palestinians were dispossessed, fighting for their homeland, etc. As someone pointed out here recently, based on polling, people are more likely than ever (now) to believe that the Palestinians are occupying the Israelis.

*True story: My wife had a patient about a month ago, a middle aged guy, who asked what nationality her last name (my family name) was. This happens quite a bit here in the Midwest. When she told him, simply, that I am Israeli, he said–and I’m trying to quote as closely as possible what she told me he said–“Isn’t it a miracle that those people were able to find an empty land all to themselves after so many years of suffering? And look how they made it bloom!”

When she told him, simply, that I am Israeli, he said–and I’m trying to quote as closely as possible what she told me he said–”Isn’t it a miracle that those people were able to find an empty land all to themselves after so many years of suffering? And look how they made it bloom!”

I get that a lot, Haytham, and some of it is actually genuine. Mostly I think, people just aim to please (especially in an unequal situation, like doctor-patient), and try to make what they believe to be pleasant conversation. When I set them straight, you’d be surprised how many of them suddenly become “pro-Palestinian”.

Much more activity on numerous college campuses across the US, Glenn Greenwald was able to bring up the issue on the Dylan Ratigan show, Chris Hayes on MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnells. Hundreds of callers calling into CSpans Washington Journal (not the same callers) bringing up Israel’s illegal activities. Far more hot shots willing to bring the issue up in an open forum.

Folks keep applying the pressure, calling, visiting, petitioning Reps (you can set up a group appointment with your Rep when they are in your district) call into MSM shows pressure them to open up the dialogue. Hand out information from BDS, If Americans Knew etc where ever you go.

Sure, many sympathized more with the Zionists because of Israel’s “frontier” image and “making the desert bloom”* propaganda, but at least they knew that the Palestinians were dispossessed, fighting for their homeland, etc.

Actually, she asked him: “You really believe there were no people there?”

He said yes.

She said, “My husband’s family has been on that land for generations. It wasn’t empty.” She explained a little more…

He got confused, “Wait, you’re not Jewish? How is he Israeli and not Jewish?”

People in this country know a lot less than a lot of people who post here think. It’s easy to assume that something you care about is universally recognized as an important issue but in my experience that is not the case at all.

When you get to about the 100th time you’ve had to explain the difference between “Pakistan” and “Palestine” you’ll realize people are ignorant.

Of course there is a great deal of this type of thinking. That is what most Americans have been hearing in our MSM, churches etc for decades. A shift is taking place. Even though it is slow in coming. There is a shift.

I think the stakes for Obama are much higher than campaign contributions.

MSNBC did not report on Israeli involvement with assassins in Iran in order to (further) smear Iran.
Anyone else notice that immediately after the interview in which Ronen Bergman said how Israelis use assassination to take out anyone who threatens their national security, Brian Williams introduced an extended report on mistress of John F Kennedy, “our martyred president.”

Maybe this BDS info might get to Obama? Ramallah, September 07 (QNA) – Palestine will participate in the Arab League Follow Up Peace Initiative meeting in Cairo next Monday to discuss the Palestinian leadership’s preparation to ask for United Nations membership for the State of Palestine later this month, said Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki on Wednesday. Palestine will also participate in the Arab Foreign Minister Council meeting in Cairo on September 13 and will head this term of meetings for six months, Palestine”s Wafa news agency quoted al-Malki as saying . Palestine will also chair the Arab League meetings in the UN, added al-Malki. The Palestinian delegation will head to New York on September 16 and will meet with several foreign ministers to persuade their countries to vote for a full UN membership of a Palestinian state, at the next UN General Assembly meeting on September 20. (QNA) f l

I won’t give Obama credit concerning where his heart is regarding I/P. His actions tell us all we need to know. The man is a craven opportunist. A small, risk-averse man who doesn’t understand that it’s an insult when Netanyahu (among others) piss in his face.

“And while Gates is part of the military establishment, the larger military industry that profits from the Israeli occupation will certainly not be pushing back against Obama’s full-throated support for Israel. The only way to describe a political system like this is warped.”

Alex, “small case annie” would be proud of you for this statement–it makes her look intelligent by comparison. How long since it has occurred to you that our system is warped?

The occupation means nothing to elites in this country. Israel can have it, as long as it puts out. It puts out just fine, at both material and ideological levels. This may not be the case indefinitely, but our leaders are no different than Qaddafi. They won’t change unless forced to. This is the investment strategy they’ve chosen, and it’s paid off quite well so far.

But at least you admit that the military establishment profits. Not a minor realization, if you’re starting from knowing nothing.

I agree that on the i/p issue, having been brainwashed by msm/politcos, the public has come to accept the one about the jewish settlers being the good guys. the palestinians the bad, although on other pot-boiler issues (single payer health care, social security, pensions & such), polls consistantly show that the public leans to the left. yet the chances that next year’s election will deliver a progressive congress & president is nil, and will remain so unless justice for palestine becomes a mainline progressive issue, thereby providing progressive candidates the opportunity to hammer away at the fact that our government’s unconditional support for the zionist entity, not only is why “they” hate us, but that the wars that america is waging in israel’s behalf, is what’s draining the treasury, such that, there’s no moola left for rebuilding america. and if no candidates step forward to make the connections between joblessness and u.s. support for israel, then serious consideration should be given to our opting out of this election & instead devoting out energies to building a movement for change*. otherwise? the abyss, since perpetual war + global warming = doomsday

To be fair to the “brainwashed masses” and the MSM, it’s pretty hard to see the Palestinians as “good guys” when (according to polls after Palestinian terrorists murdered a Jewish family, including stabbing a baby to death in its bed) 1/3 of them support stabbing Jewish babies to death in their beds.

To the American people, accidentally kill kids while shooting at terrorists (and other soldiers) and you can still be the “good guy”. Deliberately stab a baby to death in its bed for no military reason and you definitely the “bad guy”. No matter what your grievance is.

What a joke your confected slant is, I suppose however they approve of the documented abuse, kidnapping and terrorism of children from their beds in the middle of the night by the IDF militia? Or they just don’t care.

Fredblogs – how about when a Russian immigrant to Germany stabbed a pregnant Arab woman to death IN COURT – and the guards shot the father by mistake instead of the killer?

Or how about Baruch Goldstein.

Or the long list of settler terrorism. What about the various massacres that have been perpetrated by the Israeli military against unarmed Palestinian civilians?

What about the meticulously recorded lists (of different kinds) of various abuses endured by the Palestinians at the hands of the IDF/settlers?

Americans shouldn’t focus in on one poll. They should compare the crimes of carried out on both sides. Then see who supports what. Then look at the entire conflict and see who is doing the most terrorism/violations of human rights/etc.

They should realize that this is a colonial conflict since Israel is colonizing Palestinian land.

They should learn all of the Zionist myths and catchphrases about Israel and it’s founding – most notably the ‘5 Arab armies’ line (that you pathetically regurgitated here as if we haven’t heard that lie before).

I’d say most Americans pick and choose what to remember.

No one cares that most Israeli Jews supported the Gaza massacre, in which 300 children were murdered.

tangent to topic — heard on the news (!) this morning that Bahraini Shi’ites who attempted to demonstrate/protest for their freedom, on the 1 year anniversary of their initial demonstration, are under virtual lock-down by Bahraini (Sunni majority, monarchy) security forces. The few who got out to protest — maybe 24, according to report, were cordoned by heavy security; there were reports of having been abused by security.

Iran supports the Shi’ites, tho I have no information how actively; US supports the Bahraini monarchy/security apparatus.

If you really wanna see ungratefulness just read about any Caroline Glick piece in the J-Post such as her most recent one concerning Obama. She sure seems to represent Likudish views to a T, and it appears to me that in its perception any failure to genuflect thrice a day towards Tel Aviv is evidence one isn’t doing enough or Israel.

Anyway, what’s amusing is the kind of reaction this kind of story—or stories about AIPAC and etc.—get from Israel-Firsters: Much of course is denying that AIPAC does anything or that people like Gates are right because, they say, the great gentile mass constituting the American public overwhelmingly and genuinely supports Israel.

Well, someone oughta keep track of all these kinds of statements from Israeli-Firsters because if and when the American public starts to wise up to what’s going on and forces a change in our policies, sure as little green apples what we will then see is all the Israeli-Firsters going back to what they said not all that long ago which is that the great mass of gentile Americans are anti-semetic.

I agree with annie about most americans. Maybe a tiny light that things are changing is offered by this Time (online of course; did it/will it appear in the magazine too?) piece which actually questions the US rubber-stamping of everything Israel: link to globalspin.blogs.time.com

“BTW, I see Iran has made a generous offer of five years of unfettered inspections if the sanctions are eased. You wanna weigh Gates’ gonads??? See what public statements he makes about this offer. GUARANTEED he will feed you the Israeli line of shit, STRAIGHT from the AIPAC script.” (POA)

We can gloat and stroke each other as much as we want with Gates’ nasty words about Israel, but in the end, POA read it right and how it’s of no consequence.

Clinton willing to say itlink to haaretz.com
“Former U.S. President Bill Clinton said Tuesday that solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would take away much of the motivation for terrorism around the world.”

Glen Greenwald and Dylan Ratigan knocked it out of the park. Wiped up the floor with Cliff Mays lies. This would not have happened five years agolink to salon.com

This debate about the disproportionate amount of power and influence of the I lobby would have not taken place 10 years agolink to scribemedia.org
The Israel Lobby: Does it Have Too Much Influence on US Foreign Policy?link to scribemedia.org

This sort of hypocrisy is exactly what America’s foreign policy doesn’t need. Especially at a time like this when revolutions are occurring throughout the region. Not only does this threaten the US’s image as an “honest broker” but it diminishes Americas overall influence as well. Our unconditional support for apartheid Israel has destroyed US international standing while leading the way for potentially dangerous elements in the ME to gain support.

What other country in the world puts the interests of a foreign entity ahead of their own? What other country in the world sacrafices their own blood and money to protect a “friend” who lies and spies on us, and bullys our congress into complete submission.

America is the foundation and power behind the atrocities being committed by Israel. And the entire world knows that without American financial, military, and political support Israel could and would not be able to continue their criminal apartheid policies. And that is where we need to start if we desire any real changes. We need to challenge the status quo. We need to challenge AIPAC. And we need to challenge our elected officials and make clear we will not stand for this injustice anymore.

I agree with Real Jew. We need to tell our fellow Americans AIPAC does not mean the dark skinned guy with the accent behind the local 7-11 counter. And we need to point out to our more sophisticated American neighbors that AIPAC does not appear on The Family Guy.

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